Statuette - Zande - DR Congo

The Zande statuettes are traditional sculptures of the Zande people (also known as Azande), found in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

Their production is part of a rich tradition of ritual arts linked to initiatory associations, particularly the magico-religious society Mani, founded at the end of the 19th century to strengthen social cohesion and ensure the protection of members against harmful influences. The statuettes—often called "yanda" or, for the smaller forms, "nazeze"—are generally carved in wood with a dark, deep patina that attests to their prolonged ritual use.

They can represent stylized human figures, sometimes feminine, or more abstract shapes, and are endowed with an energetic presence intended to embody the protective forces or benevolent spirits of the community.

Within the Mani society, these statuettes were displayed during divination sessions or protective rites, anointed with ritual paste, smoked, or adorned with necklaces and beads as a sign of respect and recognition.

The Zande sculpture stands out for its bold geometric abstraction of the human figure, in which the head and body are arranged into abstract forms, creating a singular plastic force that has fascinated art historians.


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